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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 34277, member: 636"]
Most East African homes still cook with wood, charcoal, or crop waste, causing a health emergency across the region. A recent report shows that about 95 percent of households used these solid fuels in 2020, exposing nearly 390 million people to dangerous air pollution. Countries like South Sudan and Burundi face severe challenges, with less than 25 percent of their populations having access. Even Kenya, despite its 76.5 percent electrification rate, sees very few residents using clean cooking options.

Household air pollution killed an estimated 294,000 people in 2021, making it the second leading cause of death regionally. Long exposure to tiny particles released when burning these fuels leads to breathing problems and heart disease, hitting women and children hardest. Poverty and high fuel costs block progress toward cleaner energy sources, putting East Africa behind schedule for meeting United Nations energy goals by 2030.

Some hope appears on the horizon with over $2 billion in funding pledges from the International Energy Agency. If used effectively, these investments could help reduce illness rates and carbon emissions. The Health Effects Institute report examined eight countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Experts believe existing data can help create better policies for healthier communities.
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